The Greatest Gift Of All By: Diana Bloomfield Jack O'Neill stared out of the large picture window in his living room. Outside, the Colorado sky had opened up and began an outpouring of soft, fluffy, snow that covered the ground and trees in a shimmering white blanket, adding to the hefty inches of snow that had been compiling for weeks now. He wasn't a bit surprised to see it snowing today of all days, it was after all Christmas Eve. Jack sighed and couldn't help feeling a little morose. It was Christmas Eve and he was celebrating by himself, felling like he had been deserted by his team. Sam had decided to take her father up on his offer to spend Christmas with him, Teal'C had taken the time off that Hammond had given them all to make a trip back to the Land Of Light to see his family, and Daniel had made plans to take a trip to see his brother Jeffery and his wife Anne for Christmas. Jack sighed again, he knew he hadn't really been deserted but it didn't make it any easier. Oh sure, Sam had asked him to come with her, as did Teal'C and Daniel when they found out he had no real plans, but he had politely refused. He would have felt uncomfortable horning in on their family time and would have felt like an intruder. Jack didn't mind being alone for the holidays, he told himself. Hell, Christmas was just another day to him and that was exactly how he was going to treat it, like any other day. He hadn't even put up any decorations up in his house. His plans for the evening consisted of pizza, a six pack, and watching some movies he had rented earlier. It was his down time and he was just going to relax and not even think about the holidays. He turned on the stereo for some music but was tempted to turn it off again when he realized all the radio stations were playing Christmas carols. He opted instead for putting one of his Bob Seger CD's on and turned the volume up as 'Nine Tonight' filled the room. Jack was getting ready to put the pizza in the oven just as he heard a knock on his door. 'Who on Earth would be out tonight?' Jack wondered. Opening it up, he was surprised to see a red nosed Daniel standing on his porch, arms full of boxes. "Daniel? What are you doing here?" Jack asked in astonishment as he backed away and let Daniel in. "Ho Ho Ho Jack, " Daniel said as he walked in and set his load down on the floor. "I hope you don't mind, but I just thought you could use some company tonight," Daniel explained, pulling his dark blue stocking cap off his head and stuffing a pair of mittens into his pockets. Jack stared at him for several heartbeats. "No, of course I don't mind, but I thought you were suppose to be on a plane to Fort Worth right about now." Daniel shot him a goofy grin. "I was, but I had a last minute change of plans." "Your flight get canceled?" Jack asked, knowing it wouldn't be impossible considering the storm clouds he had seen moving in. "Nope, just decided I wanted to be here instead," the younger man responded. Jack didn't know what to say or how to respond to such a sentiment so he simply asked, "What's in the boxes?" and pointed to the pile on the floor. "Decorations, " Daniel answered. "I didn't think you had the time to get any and it just doesn't feel like Christmas without decorations," Daniel explained, as he shimmied out of his oversized jacket, exposing the thick tanned colored knit sweater over a pair of tight black denim jeans. O'Neill knelt down and began a exploration of the boxes and made a discovery. "Daniel, most of these decorations are for a tree." "Yeah, so?" Jack looked up into Daniel's enthusiastic blue eyes and felt a little regretful. "So, I don't have a tree," Jack said softly. Daniel simply smiled and called Jack over to the door. Jack stood and walked over and looked out the widow. There in the back of Daniel's pick-up, was an Evergreen at least eight feet tall strapped down. "I didn't think you'd have time for that either," Daniel explained happily. Jack found himself speechless again. He couldn't believe the younger man had gone through such trouble just to bring him some holiday spirit...that Daniel had thought enough of him to go through all trouble. "Come on, help me bring it in and we can trim it!" Daniel said eagerly and Jack found himself being drawn in by the archaeologist's apparent holiday zeal. "Okay," he responded with a smile and grabbed his own coat. He was shaking his head slightly as the bitter cold hit him like a blast when he stepped outside. It seemed like it only took a matter of moments for the two men to drag the heavy tree from the truck bed, up the steps of Jack's porch, and to set it up in living room after Daniel decided it would look best by the window. Jack began taking out the various ornaments and placing hooks on them while the scientist had set himself down cross-legged in the middle of the floor and began trying to untangle the bundle of lights that had gotten jumbled up on the ride over. "Hey Jack?" Daniel asked, still fighting with a persistently mangled string. "Hmm?" Jack murmured, sliding a hook through red coated ball and sitting it to the side. "You wanna build a fire?" Daniel asked and motioned at the huge stone fireplace occupied one of the walls of the living area that was currently not in use. For some reason, Jack decided that having a nice roaring fire going was a must. It seemed right to watch a glowing fire as the snow continued falling outside. "Sure, but I don't have any wood," Jack answered. "We're gonna have to go out and bring some in." "No problem," Daniel said, abandoning his position on the floor. "Let's go." Jack got his coat back on again and led the other man out to the huge wood pile behind the shed in the backyard. Gathering a load in his arms, Jack carried it into the living room and returned for another trip when he saw the young archaeologist bend over the pile picking a few loose logs. The scientist's attractively curved, denim covered, rear was sticking straight up at Jack. A purely devilish smile curved on Jack's lips. He really shouldn't, it wouldn't be nice at all, he thought to himself...but that perfectly presented target was just too tempting to ignore! With merriment dancing in his eyes, the colonel made his decision and reached down to the snow covered ground and packed up a good sized snowball. Letting it fly, Jack laughed outloud when the hurled projectile found it's target and Daniel let out a loud yelp of surprise. Wide, startled, blue eyes swung onto the laughing colonel and it was several seconds before Daniel found his voice. "Jack, that wasn't nice!" Daniel exclaimed and tried to look irritated, but failed when he was infected by Jack's laughter. Jack didn't laugh much and Daniel enjoyed it any time he managed to hear it. "Oh come on Danny Boy, how was I suppose to resist such a tempting target? You were begging for it," Jack responded as another fit of laughter shook him at Daniel's indignant look. "Oh yeah?" Daniel asked. "Oh yeah? Think it's funny huh?" Daniel swooped down and scooped up a handful of snow himself and began patting it together. Jack, seeing this, let his laughter fade. "You wouldn't dare," he said as Daniel smiled menacingly at him and began taking steps towards him. "I wouldn't huh?" Daniel asked, still getting closer. Jack tried to put on his no-nonsense, colonel face, but didn't quite manage to make it convincing though. "Nope, you wouldn't." Exactly two seconds later he was splatted square in the face by the freezing snowball. Using two fingers to wipe away the icy snow from his eyes and spitting it from his mouth, Jack said, "You know don't you, that this means war." Chunks of snow started flying back and forth in a fire of icy frenzy, both men trying their best to completely drench and chill the other as fast as they could and taking no prisoners. Jack gathered up a huge handful of snow and began chasing his prey, dodging and ducking a glacial shower as he gained on the younger man. Before the younger man knew what happened, he was sacked and tackled at the knees and fell to the soft ground. Jack moved quickly and managed to unzip the archaeologist's jacket, but the younger man was still refusing to give up the fight and they found themselves in a wrestling tussle. They scuffled around, and Jack's speed managed to outmaneuver Daniel. The colonel let out a victorious yelp as he flipped the younger man over and covered the other man's body with his own, pinning the scientist down onto ground under him. "Uncle, uncle! I give, I give!!" Daniel cried and put his hands in mock surrender as their laughter mingled with one another. Jack looked down at the archaeologist. Daniel's eyes sparkled like blue flames, his cheeks were flushed, his mahogany colored hair, wet from the snow, was plastered to his head, and he seemed to practically glow with happiness. It suddenly hit Jack just how attractive the young man under him was, and found himself feeling the silliest notion to cover Daniel's smiling full lips with his own. Daniel squirmed and the colonel was able to feel the warmth emanating from the scientist, feeling firm muscles moving and stretching under him, and suddenly the thought of kissing him was turning less silly by the second. In fact, even being surrounded by the frigid snow and having an arctic wind blowing against him, Jack was suddenly beginning to feel very warm. "Jack?" Daniel called softly. Jack gave himself a mental shake. 'Jacko, what on Earth are you doing?' he asked himself and moved off the scientist. Standing up, he held a hand out to Daniel and pulled the younger man to his feet. "Guess I won this round, let's get that tree trimmed," Jack muttered, turning his back on the archaeologist and began walking back up to the house. As Daniel followed the older man, a frown furrowed his brow. He wondered what had happened, they had been having so much fun until Jack landed on top of him then something had changed. He could have sworn he had seen a certain look in the colonel's eyes...almost like Jack had wanted him. 'Keep dreaming Jackson, just because you're attracted to him, don't go pushing your own desires onto him,' he warned himself. He had always felt an attraction to Jack from almost the first day they had met. At first it had only started out as a crush, which he was able to hide easily. Lately though, he found that what he had been feeling for Jack was growing into something even stronger and had been making an effort to keep it hidden from the Air Force colonel. He had been telling himself repeatedly that Jack could have any woman he wanted, that O'Neill was as straight as it came, and that Daniel's bisexuality would not only threaten their friendship, but destroy it. Daniel had been dealing with it pretty well all in all, but now he wondered if it had been a good idea at all to come here. It was too late to change that now, he told himself. Besides that he just had 'not' wanted Jack spending Christmas alone. He cared too much for Jack to let that happen. Daniel entered the house to find Jack already hunched over the wrought iron hearth, adjusting the flue, and building a nice hearty fire. Daniel shook the snow off his boots and jacket and shut the door. Even with the warm fire though, Daniel was still chilled to the bone. "Do you have any coffee?" Daniel asked, breaking the ensuing silence, Jack looked over his shoulder at him. "Yeah, everything's in the kitchen, help yourself." Daniel walked into the spacious kitchen and began riffling through the cabinets until he found the coffee and the filters and began fixing the delicious smelling hot brew. Finding two cups, he filled both with the steaming liquid and carried it back to Jack, who was sitting on the sofa. "Thanks," the colonel said as he took the offered cup. They drank the coffee in companionable silence, listening to Bob Seger's 'Old time Rock And Roll' finished up and the CD was finished. Jack got up and flipped the radio back on in time to hear the weather forecast. "....blizzard advisory out until nine pm this evening. There is a prediction of six to eight inches before tomorrow morning with heavy winds and drifting. We are advising travelers to stay where they and do not risk driving at this time. Please stay tuned to 100.3 for further weather updates," the forecaster said before Elvis's "Blue Christmas" started. "Looks like you're gonna be bunking here for the night Danny Boy," Jack responded as his eyes landed on the younger man. "Sorry, I hope you don't mind," Daniel apologized. Jack shrugged his shoulders. "No, I don't mind. Even if there wasn't a snow advisory, I don't know if I'd want you traveling on a night like this anyway," Jack responded. "You can sack out in my bed and I'll take the couch." "No, I'll take the couch, I don't want to put you out or anything," Daniel responded. "You're my guest and I insist," Jack stated in a tone that held no room for argument. "Well, if it's not any trouble..." "It's not," Jack assured him. The colonel noticed how Daniel was still shivering even though there was a fire going and he was sipping hot coffee. Getting up, Jack went into the bedroom and returned carrying a pair of black sweatpants and a sweatshirt. He tossed them into Daniel's lap. "You can wear these to bed. In fact it probably wouldn't hurt to go get a hot shower and get warmed up. We can finish the tree when you're done," Jack suggested. "All right," Daniel agreed, took the sweats, and headed off in the direction of the bathroom. Jack thought about what almost happened outside, just how tempted he was by the younger man, how he'd had the desire to do things to the scientist that he only let himself fantasize about in the dead of night. He hadn't had such a strong attraction to a man since Sid. Sid had been a dark beauty he had gotten involved with before meeting Sarah, when he had still been a private. Things had ended amicably with Sid, he had met Sarah, and that had been that, pure and simple. He hadn't even thought about another man...until now...until Daniel. Jack listened as the younger man closed the door and began running the hot water. O'Neill was doing his damndest not to think about the fact that Daniel was in his shower, completely naked. He shifted in his seat as he thought about that hot water traveling over Daniel's body, washing suds off of a flat, firm stomach, down well-muscled arms, down the cheeks of his bare buttocks. He knew all too well how beautiful the younger man's body was because of the times they had showered together in the locker room, and unfortunately his memory served him well - tormentingly well. Jack had to give himself another mental shake and felt guilty for his thoughts. Daniel was a trusted friend that he cared deeply for and it felt like he was betraying that trust to be having such thoughts about him. What would the scientist say if he knew what Jack was thinking? What was he going to do? 'Well Jacko, you're gonna sleep on the couch and try to not think about Daniel sprawled out in your bed," he told himself, as if simply telling himself that would make it happen. He simply wouldn't risk doing anything to ruin a friendship that was too important to him. Jack sipped his coffee as he heard the water turning off and Daniel emerged from the small bathroom. Daniel was wearing Jack's sweats and Jack had to smile a little because they hung on Daniel's frame, but he decided that it definitely looked good on the younger man. "Feel better?" Jack asked casually. "Yep, warmed up and ready to hit the tree trimming," Daniel responded with a lopsided grin. "Let's get to it then," Jack said with an answering smile. Daniel sighed dramatically as he tried again to tackle the lights while Jack finished up with the ornaments. Feeling gracious, Jack helped Daniel with the last string and both men began winding and looping the lights all through out the tall tree. Though the lights definitely helped, Jack knew it was going to take a lot of decorations to fill up the massive branches on the needled tree and set to filling them. Daniel hummed happily along with radio that was playing 'I'll Be Home For Christmas' while he was sitting on his heels and deciding the best place to start tackling the tree. Picking up a reindeer ornament, Daniel began his own section of the tree. As Daniel's humming grew louder, Jack found himself humming along with Daniel, occasionally singing aloud to some of the carols he liked the most. When Daniel laughed at a sour note he hit, Jack threw some fake icicles at him, which Daniel threw back. Soon there was more icicles on the floor and them than the tree itself. That's when it dawned on Jack that he was actually enjoying himself, that he was having fun. He hadn't enjoyed himself this much since losing Charlie, Christmas had never been the same after that. Now though, he was actually feeling light hearted and content - and he owed it all to Daniel. Another hour slipped by before Jack moved back to admire their handy- work. He had to admit that the tree looked pretty darn impressive. Lights were sprinkled all through out the branches, bulbs of all colors were covering it from the top down, and any place there had been bare spots were filled with beautiful Christmas figures...elves, reindeers, birds, and bells. Daniel spread out a big tree skirt and sat back on his haunches. "Looks good don't you think?" the archaeologist asked, looking up with glinting eyes at the older man. "Yep, definitely," Jack murmured, not really looking at the tree when he answered. "Ready to see what it looks like with the lights?" "Sure!" Daniel said with exuberance. Jack plugged the lights up and flipped them on. He watched the tree come alive in an explosion of colored light that blinked merrily. As Jack watched the lights flickering over Daniel's features, lighting his skin in a rainbow of color, he felt such a rush of fondness and affection for the younger man that had given up time with his family for him. "It's perfect," Jack whispered, his gaze resting on the tree again. "Almost," Daniel said as he stood up. "It's still missing something." "What?" Jack asked, it looked wonderful to him. Daniel walked over to the couch and dug in one of the last boxes on it. Jack watched as Daniel produced a large tree top decoration in the shape of a beautiful angel, complete with gold wings, hallo, and blonde hair that fell over her shoulders. "It needs this," Daniel stated, and pulled a footrest over beside the tree. "You want to do the honors?" he asked, looking over to Jack. "Nah, you were the one who thought of it, so you should be the one to finish it off," Jack returned. "Thanks," Daniel said softly. Daniel climbed onto the foot stool with the angel in hand and stretched up to place the top on the tree. When it was perched on top, Daniel came back down and stood beside Jack. "Good job Danny Boy," Jack said happily as he absently slipped his arm around the younger man's shoulders. "I love Christmas," Daniel said with a sigh as he leaned without thought against the colonel. "I can tell," Jack murmured. "Which makes me wonder why you decided to share it me. You could be with family right now, but you're here with me instead. Why?" Daniel shrugged "Because to me, you spend Christmas with those people who mean the most to you, and that's you Jack," Daniel admitted in a voice so low it was hard to catch. Jack felt his insides melt and drop to his toes at the meaning in those words and before he could stop, he found himself turning Daniel's face towards him and leaning in to brush his lips across the younger man's supple mouth, drawing the archaeologist into him. It took several heartbeats before Daniel's surprise faded and he started to lean into the kiss, his lips firming under Jack's warm, moist, mouth as his eyes closed. Daniel felt the tip of Jack's tongue pressing with the slightest of pressure against his mouth and he opened up to it, allowing him access readily. Jack tasted the hot, moist, recesses of Daniel's mouth. The younger man tasted of coffee and an undefinable flavor that could only be described as pure Daniel. His tongue stroked and teased, sought and dueled as Daniel became more active, using his own tongue to taste the inside of Jack's mouth. It was a kiss that was unhurried and so tender it made Jack ache. Almost as quickly as it had started, it was broken. Jack's senses kicked back into action and he pulled away from the archaeologist. "Christ Daniel....I didn't mean to...I mean I'm..." Jack ran a shaky hand through his hair. 'You screwed up big time now Jacko, how are you going to get yourself out of this mess?' he wondered. "Daniel, I don't know what to say," he apologized hastily. "I am so sorry." Daniel just gazed deeply into Jack's dark eyes. "I'm not," he whispered before leaning in and recapturing the Air Force colonel's mouth with his own. Jack tried to pull away, but Daniel followed, not allowing him to break the contact but instead wrapped his arms around O'Neill's waist and pulled him in tightly to him. Jack didn't want to do this, didn't want to do anything to ruin what he and Daniel had together, but as the younger man's mouth caressed his own, his control started weakening. When Daniel pressed his body up against him and Jack could feel the archaeologist's tell tale hint of arousal pressing against his own, his control broke completely. His arms encircled the younger man as he hungrily devoured the mouth offered to him. Daniel moaned weakly, fingers clutching and twisting the handfuls of Jack's midnight blue sweater he had grabbed, using it to pull Jack close without hopes of escaping - not that Jack was going anywhere. One of Jack's hands came up to cradle the back of Daniel's head, threading through the soft chestnut strands while his other hand slipped under Daniel's sweatshirt, allowing him to touch the scientist's heated skin. He then let his lips trail over Daniel's throat, nipping lightly and licking his way down to the black collar. Daniel murmured, his head falling back for better access as his own hands let go of Jack's sweater and slid his palms under it. His fingers splayed over the sculpted muscle, feeling the warmth pulsating to him, feeling the older man's rapid but steady beating heart thumping under them. Fingertips found sensitive nipples and he heard Jack gasp when he rolled them. Jack's hands slid up Daniel's arms and captured his hands with his own and held them still. Pulling back, dark brown eyes stared into cobalt blue. "Daniel, if you're wanting to stop, you'd better do it now while I can," Jack warned in a thick voice, fire blazing in his umber eyes. "What makes you think I'm wanting to stop?" Daniel asked, his breath coming out in soft pants. A thousand thoughts flew through Jack's mind. Would this ruin their friendship? How would they deal at work with this? What would Sam and Teal'C think about this? What would happen if Hammond found out about it? Daniel could see the storm of confusion flaring in Jack's eyes and kissed him ever so softly, barely brushing his lips against him. "Jack, I care about you and I want you so much it hurts. I've spent months telling myself that you couldn't want me, that it just wasn't in the cards, driving myself crazy wanting something I thought I couldn't have. Now you're offering it to me and I don't plan on letting the chance go. Yeah, there's bound to be consequences, but right now I really don't give a damn about them," he said in a soft, yet sure voice. Jack opened his mouth, getting ready to speak, but Daniel placed a finger to his lips. "Look Jack, I guess the real question here is do you want me?" Eyes full of affection and hope gazed up into Jack's own. "Yeah, I do," he answered quietly. "Then we'll deal with the rest later as it comes all right?" Daniel asked. Jack nodded and Daniel grinned before stealing another round of kisses, letting himself trail his lips over Jack's angular jaw, nipping lightly at the soft area behind his ear, and down his neck. Jack allowed himself the shiver of pleasure to course through him, traveling down to his toes and back before pulling away and taking Daniel's hand in his own and led the younger man into his bedroom. Daniel stood expectantly at the end of the full-sized, four poster bed and turned his face upwards to receive the storm of kisses that were showered over his eyes, cheeks, mouth, and neck as his hands went back to exploring Jack's arms, chest, and broad back. He groaned softly as Jack's teeth grazed over the corded muscle from his neck to his shoulder. Jack stepped back and pulled the sweater he wore up and over his head. Taking his lead, Daniel did the same with his sweatshirt and felt a rush of sensation when he was pulled hard against Jack's bare chest, the shock of skin again skin sending ripples of excitement through him. Jack's hands slid past the band of the drawstring sweatpants, cupping his firm buttocks as their groins ground together, hardness rubbing against hardness. Stopping, Jack moved to pull the cotton material down Daniel's hips, kneeling down and pulling them down to Daniel's ankles. He then ran his hands up Daniel's bare legs, over his calves and up his thighs, up to his rear again where he gently squeezed. Jack was close enough to smell the heady scent of Daniel's arousal, the thick erection already tenting and straining the material of the archaeologist's red briefs. Reverently, Jack gently nuzzled the younger man's groin, his cheek brushing against him. Daniel threaded his fingers through Jack's short cropped straw colored hair and whimpered as he felt the older man's hot breath caressing his skin. "Oh Jack," he said breathlessly, wishing desperately to be freed from the confines of the cotton brief that was holding his painfully swollen member trapped. Slowly Jack slid his hands up the back of Daniel's legs, caressing behind his knees and up over the taut rear before grabbing the band of the briefs and peeling them free of Daniel's body, down his hips, releasing the scientist's aching length from it's prison until the briefs rested at his ankles with the sweatpants. Daniel kicked the hindersome material off to the side. Looking down at O'Neill, he sucked in a sharp breath as the older man ran his tongue over the thick, weeping, member. Jack swirled his tongue around the very tip of the head, letting the tip of his tongue draw in the sweet, salty fluid that leaked for him, delighting in the strong flavor of his lover. "Oh gods, gods, gods..." Daniel whimpered softly, his eyes rolling back in his head. Hot, moist, torturous...heating his blood, causing his body to tremble. Jack continued stroking the length with his tongue, bathing the younger man, tracing over the patterns of veins while one of his hands cupped and fondled the heavy sac of Daniel's testicles while the other hand drifted over Daniel's rear, playing lightly at the crease that separated the two firm half spheres. Daniel's moans were like kindling to Jack's desire, the sound so erotic that it went straight to his already painfully swollen groin. It rang and echoed in his ears and sent sparks shooting through him. O'Neill then opened is mouth and drew Daniel's hard need past his lips and into the cavern of his mouth. Daniel's groans grew louder and his fingers clutched helplessly at Jack's shoulders for support as he watched himself disappearing into Jack's mouth over and over again, feeling the older man's tongue stroking him so intimately. The sight and sensations were surreal, dizzying, to Daniel. How often he had imagined what it would feel like to have Jack's mouth on him, teasing him to the very edge of bliss, holding him hovering over it, only to let him drift back down again and again. Now it wasn't a dream, Jack was actually doing it to him and Daniel didn't know if his poor senses were going to be able to survive the sweet agony. The archaeologist's hands trembled, his knees were feeling dangerously weak, and his entire body broke out into a sweat. "Jack, Jack, gods, oh please...uhg..." Daniel's ability to speak complete sentences completely fled, reducing to him babbling and murmuring incoherently. Jack continued taking the younger man higher and higher, driven by the encouraging moans and cries. He could feel Daniel teetering on the edge, knew it wouldn't take much to drive him over the edge and held him steady there, altering his rhythm and strokes to keep Daniel off balance. Looking up into Daniel's flushed, sweaty, intense face, Jack decided he couldn't wait any longer. He wanted to know Daniel's look as pure bliss surged through him, and concentrated on taking Daniel there, feeling the muscles of the younger man already tightening in anticipation as he sped up. Gathering together ever fiber of restraint and control Daniel had left, he pushed back on Jack's shoulders, stopping him. "No, no, Jack, stop, please," Daniel begged with ragged breaths. "What Danny, what is it?" Jack asked, his own breathing coming hard and fast in pants. Soft, dazed, unfocused, eyes looked at him while Jack continued to caress Daniel with his hands. "Want you inside me, gotta feel you in me, please," Daniel managed to get out even though his head was still swimming wildly. "Are you sure?" Jack asked hesitantly. "Need it, need you," Daniel murmured, cupping Jack's face and drawing him up off his knees until their lips met. Daniel whimpered when he tasted himself in Jack's kiss. Jack nodded when the kiss broke and gently nudged Daniel to lay down on the quilted comforter on his bed. Daniel moved and laid down in the center of the large bed. Silently he waited and watched. Jack slowly released the button of his jeans and unzipped them. With near unnatural slowness, he drew it out, revealing himself little by little until he had a denim pool at his feet that he brushed aside. The black bikini briefs slid down Jack's hips and he watched Daniel's tongue dart across his dry lips as he looked on. Anticipation, appreciation, and desire played across the archaeologist's face and Jack's own ardor was flaring under the attention of the blazing blue eyes. The colonel then crawled up until he was covering the younger man completely with his entire body, heat pressed against heat, arousal against arousal. Jack moaned at the contact as he was wrapped in Daniel's arms and kissed hard. Jack let his hands roam over ever inch of skin he could touch, unable to seem to get enough to satisfy him - stroking, tasting, caressing the soft skin and learning all it's textures, creases, lines, and planes, wishing he could burn the memory of it deep into himself. So sexy, so passionate, so responsive his Daniel was, just as Jack instinctively knew Daniel would be. He could sense the passion hidden under the quiet, shy, exterior Daniel presented and hadn't been disappointed. "Oh Jack, Jack, please, now, please," Daniel bemoaned, fingers scraping against Jack's back and digging into his sides. "Want you so bad, don't make me wait, need you now!" Jack kissed him into silence, Daniel's body writhing against him, imploring the colonel wordlessly to give he what he was needing and wanting so much. With purpose, Jack untangled himself from Daniel's arms and legs. Daniel whimpered in discontentment at the sudden lack of contact and watched as Jack rolled over and reached into the night stand beside the bed and dug around the drawer until he found the item he wanted. Daniel watched as Jack rolled back over with a small bottle of hand lotion in hand. The younger man watched in suspense as Jack opened the lid and poured some of the creamy substance onto his fingers and began to coat his hard, ruddy, moist erection with it. When it was thoroughly coated, Jack poured some more onto his fingers and Daniel opened his legs in readiness as Jack let his finger gently stroke and massage the muscular ring of Daniel's body and carefully inserted it into the tight channel. Daniel moaned his pleasure as his legs opened further and his body moved against Jack's hand. The older man felt Daniel's body relax and entered a second, then a third finger as he stretched the archaeologist with an unhurried, tender, concern. He wasn't about to take any chances of hurting the younger man who was giving him his trust. Daniel felt the loss of the fingers being removed, only to be replaced by the feel of the plump tip of Jack's erection pressed against him. Dark eyes searched his intensely, seeking the signal that Daniel was ready. Daniel's hands sought Jack's, interlacing their fingers together and holding on tightly as he raised his head up to claim the older man's lips in a long, hard, deep, kiss. Needing no other encouragement, Jack kept kissing Daniel as his hips pressed forward and Daniel's legs wound around him. With the slightest bit of reluctance, he felt Daniel's body yield and accept him as he pushed forward little by little, ever so slowly becoming immersed inside Daniel's incredibly hot and tight body. Slowly, slowly, he entered the constricting channel, giving Daniel's body a chance to adjust around him, to relax around him, until he found himself completely inside Daniel's body, coming to rest against the soft curves of the archaeologist's buttocks. Jack held himself still, trying to catch his breath and get accustomed to the warmth that seemed to completely bury him, drown him, in wave after wave of sensations that set his nervous system full tilt. So hot, too hot, so painfully, achingly, sweet! Daniel began stirring under him, moving, wanting to feel Jack inside him, encouraging him to move. The archaeologist watched the older man's soft, lust fogged, eyes look at him with such aching tenderness as he began a slow and steady movement inside him. Daniel felt the burning of the sweet friction inside of him, the gentle slide, that caused a dull ache inside of him to grow and diffuse throughout his entire being, consuming him. Jack slowly started to speed up his movements, encouraged by Daniel's outpours of moans and meaningless murmuring as the younger man's fingers pulled at him, scraped against him in a blind need. The archaeologist's hips rose up to meet the thrusting with abandon, keeping tempo to the rhythm that Jack had set. O'Neill could hear the rushing of blood moving hot and fast in his ears, could feel his wild heartbeat keeping time as he pulled out of Daniel only to thrust back in as deep as he could, wanting to loose himself in the warmth and passion that surrounded him. Harder and harder Jack thrusted, pounded into the younger man's body, sweat creating a fine sheen over his body and dripping into his eyes. The colonel did his best to rein in his control, tried not to let it get the better of him. Daniel deserved a tender, passionate, thoughtful lover, someone who cherished what he had to offer, and Jack was going to give it to him the best he could. Daniel's body rose and arched into the long strokes that were filling him, he clutched at Jack's body, trying to pull him as close as he could, but it still wasn't close enough. He wanted, needed, more, wanted everything Jack could give him as their bodies fused together in abandon. Ached so much, he needed release, only the release that Jack could provide and he begged for it with groans and hungry caresses. Their voice mingled with each other's, tangled cries blending and merging until neither knew where one's voice started and the other ended. Bodies rubbed against one another, seeking, searching, as the friction grew hotter and more intense. Jack could feel the tension building uncontrollably within himself, taxing every last shred of restraint he had left. He knew it wouldn't take much at all to push him completely headlong over the abyss and he could tell that his lover wasn't far behind him. Reaching in between their tightly pressed bodies, Jack's fingers closed around Daniel's hard need that was pressed against his stomach and began stroking in time as his trusts grew shorter and faster. Daniel's head arched back, his hands clinging to Jack's shoulders as he held on as tight as he could. He was being driven higher and higher, faster and faster. His body was hit by an onslaught of pleasure, speeding him recklessly faster and faster to the edge that was hurling towards him, looming on the horizon. As Jack's hand continued to stroke him as Jack's body filled him, Daniel's strength to fight it abandoned him. Daniel cried out Jack's name as he was filled with a tidal wave of bliss that hit him and rocketed through him, leaving his trembling body spasming in the aftermath as his hot, thick, seed flowed from him to cover Jack's hand. Hearing Daniel's impassioned cries, feeling the archaeologist's body constrict around him, feeling the younger man vibrating and quivering with release, was all it took to sweep Jack over the edge to his own completion. Daniel's name reverberated throughout the room as the older man's hot, pearly, fluid filled his lover's body. O'Neill waited until his rapid heart slowed down and his breathing neared normal before very cautiously freeing himself from Daniel's body. The loss was immediately felt, but Jack consoled himself by being pulled into Daniel's strong embrace. The colonel wrapped his arms around the younger man and held him as tightly as he could to him, as mouths sought each other and kisses were traded. After awhile, Jack got up and went into the bathroom and came back with a warm cloth and he tenderly cleaned Daniel's chest and stomach before cleaning himself off. Tossing the cloth into the sink, Jack came back to bed and was wrapped once more in Daniel's arms. O'Neill's hand caressed Daniel's neck and back before coming to rest in his soft chestnut hair. Daniel felt a peaceful, lazy, happiness sweep through him as his head rested on Jack's chest and he could hear the colonel's heart beating against his ear. He was growing tired and was trying to fight it but loosing miserably. His eyes began drifting shut. "Jack?" he murmured. "Hmmm?" "Merry Christmas," Daniel whispered with a sleepy smile. "Merry Christmas, Danny Boy," Jack responded in a choked voice. As Jack held the archaeologist in his arms, he accepted the realization that this was just the first night of many that he would spend in the younger man's embrace - that they had just began a journey that neither knew where it would take them but that they wanted to travel anyway. Before his eyes fluttered shut and sleep finally overtook him, Jack thanked God or whoever was listening, for giving him the greatest gift he could have ever hoped to receive on the night truly made for miracles.